Johannesburg. - Five new caps have been included in the Spar South African Women's hockey team for a three-Test series against Germany in Stellenbosch in February.

Julia Cass, Pippa Rabey, Cindy Botha, Hanli Hattingh and Loreen Irvine have been selected in the squad of 22 which combines a blend of youth and experience. Once again South Africa will be led by the 178 capped Marsha Marescia. With South Africa's lowly world ranking of 12th it will be a tough assignment against a side ranked third.

It will be the South Africans first outing since their disappointing performance at the Olympic Games in Beijing where they finished in 11th place, after beating New Zealand 4-1 in the classification match for 11th and 12th positions. Germany claimed fourth position after Argentina beat them 3-1 in the bronze medal match.

The tests will form part of South Africa's preparations for the eight-nations Champions Challenge in Cape Town in October. Kate Hector, with 131 caps, is the second most experienced member of  the team, while Tarryn Bright will earn her 100th cap during the tournament. Other experienced players are Lenise Marais (93 caps), Kathleen
Taylor (84) and Cindy Brown (76).

Coach Jenny King has been boosted by the addition of her former team-mate and captain, Lindsay Wright (formerly Carlisle) as assistant coach. The three test matches will be played on the February 4th, 6th and 7th.
 

SA Squad: Mariette Rix, Sanani Mangisa, Kate Hector, Roxanne Turner, Julia Cass, Cindy Brown, Marsha Marescia (capt), Pippa Rabey, Shelley Russell, Dirkie Chamberlain, Lisa Deetlefs, Kelly Madsen, Kim Hubach, Vida Ryan, Vidette Ryan, Lenise Marais, Kathleen Taylor, Farah Fredericks, Cindy Botha, Hanli Hattingh, Loreen Irvine, Tarryn Bright. - Sapa